Advantages and Disadvantages of Smartphones

Gregory Gambone

The rapid increase in technological advancements in recent years has resulted in the availability of high-powered mobile communications devices for the general public. While many people consider smartphones, and the plethora of services and capabilities included with such devices, as a benefit to consumers, these phones are not without disadvantages.

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Size

Despite the fact that as technology progresses and electronic devices tend to decrease in size, smartphones have always been larger, thicker and heavier than ordinary cell phones. The electronic components used in the manufacturing of smartphones have always been bigger simply because the sophisticated functionality of these phones requires more robust hardware. Whether the larger size of smartphones is an advantage or disadvantage is simply a matter of opinion.

E-mail

The ability to send and receive e-mail while away from your computer is a significant advantage to owning a smartphone. These devices offer the ability to consolidate multiple e-mail accounts, alleviating the need to visit multiple websites and enter different log-on credentials. E-mail accounts are consolidated, and messages are displayed in a uniform and user-friendly interface.

Internet

Surfing the Internet from a smartphone should primarily be considered a major advantage to owning this type of device. Access to search engines, news, weather, sports and countless other types of information, all presented on pages specifically designed for smartphones provide users with access to unlimited information at any time or in any place. The only potential disadvantage to smartphone Internet access involves children and inappropriate website content. Children and teenagers with smartphones may inadvertently view or access adult material, or other content unsuitable for minors.

GPS

Most smartphones sold today contain internal GPS transceivers. These devices allow users to pinpoint their exact location on a map and obtain customised turn-by-turn directions to any other location. This feature is a major advantage as alleviates the need for a separate automotive GPS device. However, smartphones also allow users to share their exact location on social websites, which could potentially lead to incidents of stalking, robbery, burglary or other similar crimes. Users who choose to share their location must consider the possible ramifications of sacrificing a portion of their privacy.

Programs

Smartphones have the added advantage of installing and running an unlimited number of third-party applications and programs. This allows owners to further customise their device with software tailored to their individual needs and preferences. Additionally, countless applications designed for smartphones can be obtained for free.

Price

Perhaps the greatest disadvantage of a smartphone, when compared to an ordinary mobile phone, is the significantly higher price tag. These devices contain higher resolution screens, better cameras, increased storage capabilities, and a host of other features and benefits not available on ordinary cellphones. The luxury, convenience and increased efficiency that smartphones provide, combined with the higher-quality hardware, means users must pay much more.

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About the Author

Gregory Gambone is senior vice president of a small New Jersey insurance brokerage. His expertise is insurance and employee benefits. He has been writing since 1997. Gambone released his first book, "Financial Planning Basics," in 2007 and continues to work on his next industry publication. He earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.